I am pleased we were able to work out language on a bipartisan basis that enables the Department of Defense to move forward with personnel reform without denying its employees those wellestablished rights. The ball is now in the Department of Defenses court to prove it can implement a new performance management system in a manner that is transparent and fair and can gain the acceptance of the Departments civilian employees. Second. the conference report includes a provision to improve and expand the special immigrant visa program and expand priority 2 considerations under the U.S. refugee program to those Iraqis who have assisted our efforts in Iraq and similar consideration for certain highly vulnerable religious minorities in Iraq. I am pleased that the conference report includes this provision. I make note of one measure that will not be included in the conference report. sadly. and that is the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.
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